Posted by tex1 on May 2, 2002, at 4:56:03
In reply to New in JCP: Antidepressant Apathy Syndrome (AAD), posted by fachad on May 1, 2002, at 10:55:22
> Well, the new issue of Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (Volume 63 May 2002 Number 5) has introduced a new disorder that we have know about here for a long time: Antidepressant Apathy Syndrome (AAD).
>
> This particular issue of JCP looks like it was brought to us by the folks at Eli Lilly, judging from the number of articles that were funded by Lilly and (surprise!) found Olanzapine (Zyprexa) to be effective for many different problems, including AAD.
>
> The title of the article in question is:
>
> "Olanzapine in the Treatment of Apathy in Previously Depressed Participants Maintained With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: An Open-Label, Flexible-Dose Study"
>
> They admitted that SSRIs can cause a severe apathy syndrome, sometimes called by patients "poop-out".
>
> They went on to score the apathy, and then give the folks Zyprexa. They found that it improved symptoms in a statistically significant number of patients.
>
> It just seems ironic to me that the company that launched this AAD problem on us (through the introduction of Prozac) is now selling their hot new patented (read expensive for us and profitable for them) drug as the cure for the problem.
>
> Well, ironic or not, I am just happy the AAD problem is being taken seriously. Too bad there won't be any studies that compare the efficacy of Dex vs. Zyprexa or Adderall vs. Zyprexa for AAD. I still maintain that stimulants like Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall are the most safe and effective treatments for AAD in most cases.
All you have said doesn't surprise me. Folks at lilly are very well instructed on how to get money from inventing new syndromes. They already new about prozac-induced apathy from the beginning, but did't say that at all. Can you imagine inventing right away a drug that cure depression or cancer ? Much more money can be done by marketing one drug at a time....reaching the right one with time.
Anyway, I believe that apathy syndrome has nothing to do with apathy at all, but with anxiety most. I wouldn't treat it by using stimulant, but better with benzos or buspirone. Apathy infact is a sort of hyperstimulation of certain receptors (even if it's hard to believe it). Say to your pdoc to have a try with a benzo. You'll see results.Best luck
Tex
poster:tex1
thread:104624
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104728.html